MDHHS FOIA Email Communications, Summer 2020

Dear Mrs. Miller,

Thank you for your interest in public records of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (hereinafter “Department”).
Records Requested: To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

1. All emails sent to/from/between MDHHS Bureau of Legal Affairs representative Donald Bierer (BiererD@michigan.gov) and any of the following individuals on Monday, June 22, 2020:
a) Lynn Sutfin (SutfinL1@michigan.gov)
b) Bob Wheaton (WheatonB@michigan.gov)
c) Elizabeth Hertel (HertelE@michigan.gov)

2. All emails sent to/from/between MDHHS Public Information Officer Bob Wheaton (WheatonB@michigan.gov) and any of the following individuals on Sun, Aug 2, 2020:
a) Lynn Sutfin (SutfinL1@michigan.gov)
b) Darice Darling (DarlingD1@michigan.gov)
c) Rey Bouknight (BouknightR@michigan.gov)
d) Elizabeth Hertel (HertelE@michigan.gov)
e) Donald Bierer (BiererD@michigan.gov)

Please make sure to include any attachments to those emails.

When providing the requested records, please specifically certify that no other responsive documents related to this request exist.

Disclosure of the requested information to me is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the government during a historic crisis.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

Because the requested records are limited to specific individuals on two specific dates (and may have already been provided to earlier FOIA requesters), it is reasonable to assume that MDHHS's search will be quick and there will be no fees associated with this request due to the ease of locating the requesting documents. In the event that there are fees, however, I am willing to pay up to $25 for the requested information. If the fee for this request exceeds that amount, please notify me for permission prior to initiating work on the request.

I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Please send all documents related to this request to this email address only.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Erin Marie Miller

Upload documents directly: https://www.muckrock.com/
Your request has been assigned the following tracking number: H018251-013023. Your request has a legally received date of January 31, 2023. You will receive a response by the Department by February 07, 2023. Unfortunately, we are unable to expedite requests and the time permitted for response by the Department may be extended beyond February 07, 2023 by ten (10) business days.
In accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq, the Department provides copies of existing non-exempt records. Records which are exempt from disclosure under state or federal law will not be provided, or records may be redacted to separate exempt information. The FOIA does not require the Department to create new records or answer queries.
You can monitor the progress of your request at the MDHHS Public Records Center and you will receive an email when your request has been completed.
Regards,
Bureau of Legal Affairs,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RE: PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST , Reference # H018251-013023
Dear Mrs. Erin Miller,

This notice is issued in response to your request, legally received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Department) on January 31, 2023, requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

In order to determine what responsive records the Department might have, it is necessary to extend the time for response permitted by MCL 15.235 §5(2)(d) until February 22, 2023.

The Department’s FOIA policies and procedures are available at Policies and Procedures.


Sincerely,

Bureau of Legal Affairs,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

RE: Public Records Request, Reference # H018251-013023

Dear Mrs. Miller,

This notice is issued in response to your request, legally received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (Department) on January 31, 2023, requesting information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

Your request is granted. Please login to the FOIA Records Center to access the responsive records. The Department has identified and included the responsive information falling within the scope of your request. To the best of the Department’s knowledge, information, and belief, these are all the records in the possession of the Department falling within the scope of your request. There is no fee for the request as search and retrieval were minimal, falling below the Department’s threshold for processing fees. The Department’s FOIA policies and procedures are available at Policies and Procedures. ) Sincerely,

Bureau of Legal Affairs